Roman Decorated Terracotta Fragment

Hollow-formed with short hair and a beret, wearing a paenula military cloak extending to the hips; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 110 grams total, 90 mm including stand



From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.

Telesphorus, dressed in the Gallo-Roman manner with the long hooded military cloak (folded on his back), was the subject of many votive statuettes in Roman Gaul. Son of Aesculapius, god of medicine, he certainly had a connection with the world of healing and medical care, and was associated with his sister Hygeia. He belonged to the Celtic pantheon and was spread to the East by the Galatians of Asia Minor. His cult then spread to the West, particularly in the Hadrianic period, as attested by his images found on the Wall at Birdoswald.

Mixed group of sherds, many with inked reference number, and collector's display cards including 'Sherd of calcite gritted bowl. Indented rim. Colchester kilns. 4th Cent.', 'NENE VALLEY / NVCIO', 'Col' for Colchester, 'CANVEY ISLAND / CC/6', 'MG/105 / CAMBRIDGE / P.', LONDON / CC/27', 'TINKERS LANE / ROCHFORD / CC/26'. 804 grams total, 2.5-10 cm



Found UK. From the collection of a late East Anglian teacher and antiquarian who retired to the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, UK. He amassed a large collection of objects between the 1960s-1980s. Accompanied by handwritten information display cards.

With onion-knop finials, gusset to the bow, chamfered sections to the foot, hinged pin to the reverse. 62.4 grams, 84 mm



Ex German art market, 2000s. Acquired from an EU collector living in London. From the collection of Surrey, UK, gentleman.